Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
The Shawano Police and Fire Commission on Tuesday set March 21 as the cut-off date for accepting police chief applications.
Ed Whealon will retire from the job on April 4 after more than 34 years with the city and 37 years in law enforcement.
The commission voted to direct City Administrator Brian Knapp to advertise the position and take applications.
Knapp said he was given discretion of where to advertise, but he said it would primarily be “online venues.” Some possibilities include the websites or online bulletin boards of various law enforcement associations and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.
It will be up to the city’s Police and Fire Commission to hire the new chief, but the Common Council will set the salary and benefits.
Knapp said the commission was not ruling out hiring a new chief from within the department, but wanted to ensure a wide range of candidates.
“The Police and Fire Commission has in the last two recruitments opened it up to all applicants to ensure themselves and the community that they’re getting the best candidate,” he said.
“There are some very qualified internal candidates who may be interested,” he added.
Whealon was hired as chief from within the department 12 years ago.
The commission met in closed session for nearly two hours before voting on their plan of action.
Prior to that they officially accepted Whealon’s resignation.
Whealon announced his retirement in January, but this was the first Police and Fire Commission meeting since that happened.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the value of the chief’s leadership here at the department,” Police and Fire Commission Chairman Tony Zielinski said.
Zielinski praised Whealon for his professionalism and the direction he has provided.
“I’ve got to tell you, you’re going to be very difficult to replace,” he told Whealon. “We’re going to miss you dearly.”